Microalgae-based domestic wastewater treatment: a review of biological aspects, bioremediation potential, and biomass production with biotechnological high-value.

This review aims to perform an updated bibliographical survey on the cultivation of microalgae in domestic wastewater with a focus on biotechnological aspects. It was verified that the largest number of researches developed was about cultures in microalgae-bacteria consortium and mixed cultures of microalgae, followed by researches referring to the species Chlorella vulgaris and to the family Scenedesmaceae. According to published studies, these microorganisms are efficient in the biological treatment of domestic wastewater, as well as in the production of high value-added biomass, as they are capable of biosorbing the organic and inorganic compounds present in the culture medium, thus generating cells with high levels of lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates. These compounds are of great importance for different industry sectors, such as pharmaceuticals, food, and also for agriculture and aquaculture. In addition, biomolecules produced by microalgae can be extracted for several biotechnological applications; however, most studies focus on the production of biofuels, with biodiesel being the main one. There are also other emerging applications that still require more in-depth research, such as the use of biomass as a biofertilizer and biostimulant in the production of bioplastic. Therefore, it is concluded that the cultivation of microalgae in domestic wastewater is a sustainable way to promote effluent bioremediation and produce valuable biomass for the biobased industry, contributing to the development of technology for the green economy.

Phytochemical screening and antibacterial assessment of two macroalgae Ulva papenfussi and Ulva nematoidea (Chlorophyta) against the bacterium Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

This study was conducted to determine whether the macroalgae Ulva papenfussi and Ulva nematoidea could be alternatives for preventing Litopenaeus vannamei vibriosis caused by the bacterium Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Phytochemical screening was performed on methanolic extracts to qualitatively determine the main groups of bioactive compounds, previous to an in vitro antibacterial test against V. parahaemolitycus. Phenols, polyphenols, flavonoids, and the high presence of carbohydrates were found in both macroalgae. U. papenfussi showed more presence of lipids and alkaloids than U. nematoidea . Macroalgae extracts prepared (v:v) with a 1:1 methanol: dichloromethane solvent was used for the in vitro test using the disc diffusion method (MDD). Filter paper discs impregnated with 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0 mg of the extracts showed antibacterial activity against V. Parahaemolitycus in a dose-dependent manner in both macroalgae. The inhibition zone varied significantly (p < 0.05) from 8.33 ± 0.12 to 11.41 ± 0.73 mm for 1 to 3 mg of extract levels, respectively. In conclusion, both macroalgae have antibacterial activity in their crude extracts against this bacteria. It is suggested to evaluate it as a feed additive for L. vannamei. This study is the first report on a phytochemical screening and antibacterial activity of these macroalgae against V. parahaemolyticus.

Astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis: processes, applications, and market.

Astaxanthin is a xanthophyll carotenoid widely used in aquaculture and nutraceutical industries. Among natural sources, the microalga Haematococcus pluvialis is the non-genetically modified organism with the greatest capacity to accumulate astaxanthin. Therefore, it is important to understand emerging strategies in upstream and downstream processing of astaxanthin from this microalga. This review covers all aspects regarding the production and the market of natural astaxanthin from H. pluvialis. Astaxanthin biosynthesis, metabolic pathways, and nutritional metabolisms from the green vegetative motile to red hematocyst stage were reviewed in detail. Also, traditional and emerging techniques on biomass harvesting and astaxanthin recovery were presented and evaluated. Moreover, the global market of astaxanthin was discussed, and guidelines for sustainability increasing of the production chain of astaxanthin from H. pluvialis were highlighted, based on biorefinery models. This review can serve as a baseline on the current knowledge of H. pluvialis and encourage new researchers to enter this field of research.

Cellular accumulation of crude oil compounds reduces the competitive fitness of the coral symbiont Symbiodinium glynnii.

Oil spill events in the marine environment can have a deleterious impact on the affected ecosystems, such as coral reefs, with direct consequences for their socioeconomic value. The mutualistic relationship between tropical corals and their dinoflagellate symbionts (Symbiodiniaceae) provide structural and nutritional basis for a high local biodiversity in oligotrophic waters. Here, we investigated effects of crude oil water-accommodated fraction on the competitive fitness of the model zooxanthellae species Symbiodinium glynnii. Results of laboratory essays demonstrate that crude oil carbon is incorporated into the cellular biomass with a concomitant change of δ13C isotopic value. Carcinogenic/mutagenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were identified in the culture media and were responsible for a linear reduction in population growth of S. glynnii, presumably related to energy relocation for DNA repair. Additionally, the experiments revealed that physiological effects induced by crude oil compounds are genetically inherited by the following generations under non-contaminated growth conditions, and induce a reduction in the competitive fitness to cope with other environmental parameters, such as low salinity. We suggest that the effects of crude oil contamination represent an imparing factor for S. glynnii coping with anthropogenic drivers (e.g. warming and acidification) and interfere with the delicate symbiont-host relationship of tropical corals. This is especially relevant in the coastal areas of northeastern Brazil where an oil spill event deposited crude oil on shallow water sediments with the potential to be resuspended to the water column by physical and/or biological activity, enhancing the risk of future coral bleaching events.

Growth and nitrogen uptake by Arthrospira platensiscultured in aquaculture wastewater from Nile tilapia reared in biofloc system

This study aimed to evaluate the growth of Arthrospira (Spirulina)platensiscultivated in Zarrouk culture medium and effluent from Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) reared in biofloc system. Four treatments were used: Control (100% Zarrouk), E50 (50% Zarrouk + 50% Tilapia effluent), E75 (25% Zarrouk + 75% Tilapia effluent), and E100 (100% Tilapia effluent), and the experiment lasted 10 days. Growth parameters such as maximum cell density (MCD), doubling time (DT), and growth rate (K) were daily evaluated, as well aspH and water temperature. In addition, the concentrations of total ammonia nitrogen (TAN), nitrite-N (NO2-N), and nitrate-N (NO3-N) were analyzed in order to compare nitrogen absorption. Among treatments, E50 and E75 obtained higher maximum cell densities and presented an exponential growth rate similar to the control treatment. Regarding the concentrations of nitrogen compounds, a significant reduction was observed in all treatments, with an NO3-Nuptake of 99%, followed by 80% of TAN and 90% of NO2-N. Thus, giving the results obtained, besides being able to grow in wastewater, A. platensis can also be used in bioremediation processes, confirming the potential of this species.

Selectivity of a fishing gear used in the catch of Anomalocardia flexuosa in the Northeast of Brazil / Seletividade de um petrecho de pesca utilizado na captura da Anomalocardia flexuosa no Nordeste do Brasil

ABSTRACT: A type of dredge was introduced as fishing gear along the extractive bank of Mangue Seco - PE from which the largest annual catch of Anomalocardia flexuosa in the world is extracted. This study was carried out with the objective of estimating the selectivity of the new fishing gear and quantitatively evaluating the length classes most compromised by the catches, especially considering 20 mm as the reference value. Specimens larger than this size are most likely to be mature. For the selectivity estimation, the methodology using codends (16 or 20 mm) and small meshed cover (2 mm) was used. To estimate the selectivity parameters, a logistic regression and the Bayesian approach were used. The transition between the state in which the specimen is invulnerable to the fishing gear and vulnerable occurs between 10 and 18 mm, using a 16 mm mesh, and using a 20 mm mesh, this transition is between 14 and 20 mm. Dredgers with 16 mm and 20 mm mesh compromise a large proportion of specimens smaller than 20 mm. If the intention is to protect this part of the population, measures such as total restriction of the 16 mm mesh and use of the 20 mm mesh should be necessary only in the months of less catching incidences, or increasing the mesh to 25 mm.

RESUMO: Um tipo de draga foi introduzido como arte de pesca no banco extrativista de Mangue Seco - PE de onde se extrai a maior captura anual de Anomalocardia flexuosa do mundo. Este trabalho foi realizado com objetivo de estimar a seletividade do novo petrecho de pesca e avaliar quantitativamente quais são as classes de comprimento mais penalizadas nas capturas, tendo especialmente como referencial o valor de 20 mm. Exemplares maiores que esse tamanho tem elevada probabilidade de estarem maturos. Para estimativa da seletividade foi utilizado o método com uso de saco (16 ou 20 mm) e sobresaco (2 mm). Para estimativa dos parâmetros de seletividade foi utilizada regressão logística e abordagem bayesiana. A transição entre o estado em que o exemplar é invulnerável à arte de pesca e em que o mesmo seria quase com certeza capturado ocorre para malha de 16 mm entre 10 e 18 mm, enquanto para malha de 20 mm essa transição se dá entre 14 e 20 mm. As dragas com malha de 16 e 20 mm penalizam uma proporção grande de exemplares menores que 20 mm. Se a intenção é proteger essa parcela da população, seriam necessárias medidas como a restrição total da malha de 16 mm e uso da malha de 20 mm somente nos meses de menor incidência de recrutamento, ou o aumento da malha para 25 mm.

Evaluation of antioxidant and antibacterial capacity of green microalgae Scenedesmus subspicatus.

Microalgae are considered one of the most promising raw materials for the development of high value products for pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and cosmetic industries, as well as being potential sources of protein, vitamins, and minerals for human consumption. Hence, the present research focuses extraction of antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds from Scenedesmus subspicatus using solvents of different polarities. Different solvents such as ethanol, methanol, butanol, acetone, dimethyl sulfoxide, and water were used to extract compounds from the green microalgae S. subspicatus and then they were examined for phytochemical screening, antioxidant activity, and antimicrobial properties. In vitro free radical quenching and total antioxidant activity of extracts were investigated with 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl and compared with catequin and gallic acid as positive controls. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated in gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. Aqueous extracts and dimethyl sulfoxide presented better performance in phytochemical analysis. This result showed consistency in the sequential tests. The antioxidant activity was also better using the two solvents cited above. The extracts acetone, water, and dimethyl sulfoxide showed ability to inhibit the growth of Bacillus subtilis. However, only dimethyl sulfoxide inhibited the growth of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli. Use of the aqueous extract, proven its effectiveness, is an economic protocol and avoids the use of toxic substances.

Recruitment of oyster in artificial collectors on the Amazon macrotidal mangrove coast / Recrutamento de ostra em coletores artificiais na costa de manguezais de macromaré amazônico

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to determine the moment of the year for the oyster recruitment and define the type of collector and environmental conditions that maximize recruitment. Collections were conducted, during 12 months, on Amazon Macrotidal Mangrove at two different sites: raft (point I) and mangrove (point II). In each location three types of collectors were used (1) transparent PET bottles, (2) green PET bottles, and (3) PVC sheets, each with three replicates. Spats were counted and measured at 45-day intervals, while the environmental data were measured every two weeks. Identification of oyster species occurred by genetic testing (multiplex PCR) by randomly selecting individuals by sampling. Results indicated spat capturing was significantly influenced by the collector type, location and period of collection (P<0.05, MANOVA) with significantly higher recruitment in the PVC collector (P<0.05, Tukey test). Oyster recruitment occurred throughout the year, suggesting that these individuals reproduce during all months; however, months with less rain and greater salinity were the best for spat collection, while the rainy period with lower salinity proved to be the best for individuals growth. The location in interaction with the environmental variables, mainly salinity, has a significant effect on the recruitment rate of spat and on their size, so that point II (mangrove) had the best results for recruitment and point I (raft) provided the spats of the largest size. Genetic identification verified two native oysters species (Crassostrea gasar and Crassostrea rhizophorae) in both points (I and II).

RESUMO: O estudo teve como objetivo determinar o período do ano para coletar sementes de ostras, definir o tipo de coletor e as condições ambientais que maximizam o recrutamento das sementes. As coletas foram conduzidas, durante 12 meses, no manguezal amazônico de macromaré em dois locais distintos: balsa (ponto I) e manguezal (ponto II). Em cada ponto de coleta foram utilizados três tipos de coletores (1) garrafas PET transparentes, (2) garrafas PET verdes e (3) forro de PVC, com três réplicas cada. As sementes foram contadas e medidas a cada 45 dias e os dados ambientais mensurados a cada duas semanas. As espécies de ostras foram identificadas por teste genético (PCR multiplex) com indivíduos aleatoriamente selecionados por coleta. Os resultados indicaram que a captura de sementes foi influenciada significativamente pelo tipo de coletor, localização e período de coleta (P<0,05, MANOVA) com recrutamento significativamente maior no coletor de PVC (P<0,05, teste de Tukey). O recrutamento ocorreu durante todo ano, sugerindo reprodução mensal, contudo, os meses de menor pluviosidade e maior salinidade foram melhores para coletar sementes, enquanto o período chuvoso, com menor salinidade, favoreceu um crescimento superior. O local de coleta em interação com variáveis ambientais, principalmente salinidade, apresentou efeito significativo sobre a fixação e tamanho das sementes de maneira que o ponto II obteve melhores resultados de fixação e o ponto I sementes de maior tamanho. A análise genética identificou duas espécies nativas (Crassostrea gasar e Crassostrea rhizophorae) em ambos os pontos (I e II).

Artemia franciscana as a vector for infectious myonecrosis virus (IMNV) to Litopenaeus vannamei juvenile.

In 2004, the infectious myonecrosis virus (IMNV) was recognized as the main cause of Litopenaeusvannamei shrimp culture's drop in Brazil. In health animal control programs, in order to reduce virus prevalence in production units it is necessary to screen live feed used. Among live diets used in aquaculture, the brine shrimp Artemia sp. is essential in crustacean larviculture and maturation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the susceptibility of Artemiafranciscana to IMNV through an immersion challenge and virus-phytoplankton adhesion route and to elucidate its role as a vector for IMNV transmission to L.vannamei. A. franciscana adults were infected with IMNV through both routes, as demonstrated by PCR-positive reactions. However, infected A. franciscana showed no signs of infection. More than 40% of L. vannamei juveniles fed with IMNV-infected A. franciscana by virus-phytoplankton adhesion route were positive by real-time PCR, whereas only a 10% infection rate was found among shrimp fed with IMNV-infected brine shrimp using the immersion challenge. Significant differences were found in mean viral load between immersion and virus-phytoplankton adhesion shrimp treatments (p ⩽ 0.05). Moreover, the mean viral loads were 1.34 × 10(2) and 1.48 × 10(4) copies/µg(-1) of total RNA for virus-phytoplankton adhesion and IMNV-infected tissue treatments, respectively, and the difference was not significant (p ⩾ 0.05). The results indicated that A. franciscana act as a vector for IMNV transmission under the experimental conditions examined. Although no mass mortalities were detected in L. vannamei fed with IMNV-infected brine shrimp, these infected shrimp should not be disregarded as a source of IMNV in grow-out units.

Sexual reproduction in freshwater fairy shrimp, Dendrocephalus brasiliensis (Pesta, 1921) inferred by Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism markers / Reprodução sexual do microcrustáceo de água doce, Dendrocephalus brasiliensis (Pesta, 1921), deduzida a partir de marcadores de polimorfismo de comprimento de fragmento amplificado

Fluctuations in world harvests of Artemia sp cysts have increased prices sharply in the past years. Several organisms have been tested as alternative sources for a total or partial replacement of Artemia sp, among which the microcrustacean (Anostraca) Dendrocephalus brasiliensis stands out. The objective of this study was to investigate the reproductive strategy of D. brasiliensis by means of AFLP markers. The distinction between sexual and parthenogenetic reproduction was conducted using 7 EcoRI and MseI primer combinations in a full-sib family composed of 13 progenies. Forty polymorphic markers were obtained, of these, 35% were from paternal origin and 65% were maternally inherited. Results showed mendelian segregation in all markers through the chi-square at P≤0.05. Sex changes were observed after 72 hours of grouping individuals of the same sex in a container, suggesting a possible sex density-dependent behavior. Paternal inheritance revealed that this species adopts sexual reproduction under experimental conditions.

Há vários anos que a produção de cistos de Artemia sp. apresenta flutuações, o que aumenta consideravelmente o seu valor. Vários organismos têm sido testados para a substituição total ou parcial da Artemia, dentre os quais se destaca o microcrustáceo (Anostraca) Dendrocephalus brasiliensis. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi investigar a estratégia reprodutiva de D. brasiliensis por meio de marcadores de AFLP. A distinção entre uma reprodução sexuada e partenogenética foi feita a partir da genotipagem de sete combinações de primers de AFLP em uma família composta de 13 progênies. Quarenta marcadores polimórficos foram obtidos, dos quais 35% foram de origem paterna e 65%, materna. Os resultados mostraram a segregação mendeliana de todos os marcadores através do teste de qui-quadrado a P≤0.05. Mudanças de sexo foram observadas após 72 horas do agrupamento de indivíduos de mesmo sexo em um recipiente, sugerindo uma possível razão sexual populacional densidade-dependente. A herança paterna mostrou que a reprodução sexual é adotada por essa espécie sob condições experimentais.